⁷ “For there is hope for a tree,
    if it is cut down, that it will sprout again
    and that its shoots will not cease.
⁸ Though its root grows old in the earth
    and its stump dies in the ground,
⁹ yet at the scent of water it will bud
    and put forth branches like a young plant.^(A)
10 But mortals die and are laid low;
    humans expire, and where are they?^(B)
11 As waters fail from a lake
    and a river wastes away and dries up,^(C)
12 so mortals lie down and do not rise again;
    until the heavens are no more, they will not awake
    or be roused out of their sleep.^(D)

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,^[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;^(A)